Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano has called on all religious groups in the country to live in harmony, saying there is no cause to fight each other.
His remark comes amidst the controversies that have trailed plan by some elements to imposed Sharia Court, in South West Nigeria, and its rejection by the predominantly Yoruba people in the region who have described it to be alien to their history and tradition.
The Muslim legal code is currently operating in some parts of Northern Nigeria,
Its imposition in other parts of the country could lead to religious war, according to those versed in religion.
The traditional ruler made the appeal while delivering a keynote address at the 50th anniversary of the visit of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass to Jos, Plateau state.
Nyass, the late President of Senegal visited the country when General Yakubu Gowon was Nigeria’s military head of state.
Sanusi, a former Nigeria Central Bank Governor, said what the country needs at the moment is development rather than religious violence.
He said what happened to him in the past has taught him that there are good people in both Islam and Christians, with some bad eggs who give the religions bad image.
Referencing his predicaments after he was deposed as Emir of Kano, Sanusi said it was ‘Christians’ who got him out of the state, by providing an aircraft that flew him out from Kano, following his banishment by the Governor Ganduje’s administration.
He said what the country needs at the moment is serious investment in infrastructure and agriculture, urging western countries to assist in these areas rather than ‘bringing religion’ to the country.
“ We already have religion. Let them come and invest in agriculture,” he said.
He added“If you really love the North, come and give us information technology, build hospitals and build schools. Don’t preach hatred. Don’t preach enmity. We do not want it.
“We have been Muslims and Christians for hundreds of years. We do not need anybody to come and tell us how to be Muslims and Christians.
“My character was formed by CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria). Yusuf Pam, here, is my good friend and classmate. We went to school together and we went to ABU Zaria together and Lagos together successfully.”
He added: “I have Muslim friends and I have many Christian friends. When I was asked to leave Kano in 2020, it was Christians who made available for me a plane to jet out. Why should I not like Christians and Christianity?”
Sanusi stated: “The Quran said that you must be close to those who you love most, and Christians are there. Why are we interested in preaching hatred?
“Allah does not prevent you from being kind to those who love you. What stops you as a Muslim from saying ‘Happy Christmas to a Christian? Allah only trusts you on account of your faith. Everyone has the freedom of speech, belief and worship their way.
“Fight those who wage war against you, but you should not be on the aggression. As I have said, Christianity and Islam don’t preach hatred. So, anybody who preaches hatred should be arrested and prosecuted, whether Muslim or Christian.”
On May 9, 2020 former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje deposed Sanusi, accusing him of political interference.
But on May 23, he staged a comeback to the throne of his forebears after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated him as emir of Kano.
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